We are going to London for our FIRST anniverary- we have both been there so we are looking for things first timers would miss. <BR><BR>Also, looking for romantic restaurants...not too touristy!<BR><BR>Thanks!

Robyn, just returned from London and although I didn't get to see all of these, they all looked like interesting off the beaten path places to visit. I found most of these on previous posts so do a search for more ideas<BR><BR>http://dennissevershouse.co.uk/<BR>http://www.soane.org/ John Soane’s Museum<BR>http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leightonhousemuseum/general/ Leighton House http://www.the-wallace-collection.org.uk/ Wallace Collection http://www.somerset-house.org.uk/ Somerset House-Courtauld, Hermitage Rooms, Gilbert Collection<BR>http://www.blenheimpalace.com/index1.htmBlenheim Palace (near Oxford)<BR>http://www.roofgardens.com/the_gardens/map/ Kensington Rooftop Gardens<BR>

robin...<BR>make the time to go to stratford upon avon. (shakespeare's hometown). it's only a 2 hour train ride, and have lunch at the maidstone arms while your there. so worth it! also, i was surprised how much i enjoyed seeing the cabinet...where winston churchill had offices, and there is a great, brief tour of the building with insightful info england in world war 2. (even for a non history buff)

Cabinet War Rooms, so it's easier to find...

I enjoyed the Mews next to Buckingham Palace (the queens horses and carriages are housed there)!!

Robyn, I'm wracking my brain to remember the name of the restaurant, but maybe I can give you enough details to help:<BR>On Swallow Street, a little alley off of Piccadilly, there's a Bibendum restaurant that's called the SOMETHING Oyster Bar. A tiny, elegant bar and the restaurant attached probably only has about six tables. Here's the neat part: They have a booth with red velvet curtains that is the "royal box." They said that from Albert (Victoria's son) through Elizabeth (Queen mum), when the royals would come to dine they'd sit in that booth and the curtains could be pulled. It's by a door they could come in and out of and bypass the street. We had drinks there a few years ago and, when we came back for dinner, they seated us there. Excellent food, by the way.

Forget London and go to Germany. You will have a much better time. <BR><BR>Sorry London, one time is enough

I very much enjoyed Bumbles at Buckingham Palace Rd & Bressendon near Victoria station. Wasn't at all touristy and we sat downstairs and, as I recall, it was very cozy (unfortunately I was with a female friend!). Best duck I've ever eaten. Across the street is Carriages which also had excellent food.<BR><BR>I second John Sloane's museum; he collected everything! And, the Cabinet War Rooms. A nice day out is either to Greenwich or Kew Gardens - you can take a boat one way and the tube the other way.